Exploring

The Bahamas are a stunning collection of more than 700 islands, some of which are inhabited and accessible while others have barely been touched. Kayaking is one of the best ways to see the outer islands. You can explore coves, mangroves, caves, blowholes and sleep on isolated beaches to watch the sunset over the warm Caribbean waters.

In many places around the Bahamian coastline, the crystal clear waters are as shallow as 15 – 20ft, and below you witness large swaths of beautiful coral reef and exotic ocean life. Kayaking close to home is great, but sea kayaking in the Bahamas allows you to turn your hobby into the adventure of a lifetime.

Planning Your Trip

Where to start? You will most likely fly to Nassau whenever you vacation in the Bahamas. This is the capital city and can be a busy tourist trap in certain areas. It also gives you a perfect chance to enjoy civilization and luxury before hitting the waters for a bit of paddling. Nassau has become something of an alternative Las Vegas in paradise, with the Atlantis resort and Baha Mar providing hundreds of table games and slot machines.

You may also be able to fly directly to Georgetown on Great Exuma, which will get you much closer to the best kayaking spots. Flights run direct from Miami, Atlanta, and Toronto, or you can catch a domestic flight from Nassau. Either way, you will probably want to head to the Exuma Islands at some point.

There’s not much point lugging your own kayak and equipment over to the Bahamas. You can rent everything you need there to set off on your own trip or take a guided tour with a local outfitter. If you are interested in bringing your own kayak you might want to check out somewhere similar to https://www.perceptionkayaks.com/us/accessories for more information.

Solo or Guided?

Experienced paddlers may prefer solo trips, but guided tours are safer and easier. Photo: Stone Harbour

Solo expeditions allow you to travel at your own pace and on your own itinerary. Paddling solo also entails more risk and requires much more planning on your part. You need to decide which islands to stop off at, how many miles to do in a day, where to sleep and restock and will need to make sure you pack everything you need for a long distance trip.

Be aware that although the climate in the Bahamas is quite predictable, the weather is usually hot and humid. Take at least one gallon of water per person, per day. Be aware that blasting winds and strong currents are a possibility, as well as large waves, all described in this account of a kayak trip in the Bahamas. In short, solo trips require much more experience.

Guided tours are much easier to execute. You turn up, speak to your guide and arrange a trip. Guides will help you to set up everything from the route to the accommodation, and take care of the cooking too.

Trips are available from beginner to advanced level, with beginner trips typically covering around 3 – 5 miles of rowing a day, and more advanced expeditions at around 5 – 10 miles. There are several companies available in the Bahamas. Check out Out Island Explorers, Spirit of West Adventures or Starfish Exuma Adventures.

A Little Recommendation

The Bahamas truly are open for exploration, but the best kayaking experiences are definitely in the Exuma Islands, a chain of 365 cays that offers stunning scenery, endless unspoiled coral reef and visible sea life such as coral fish and sharks. Kayaking gives you the opportunity to see so much more of this region!

Many of the kayak tour companies are based around Great Exuma, so head to Georgetown to rent your gear and start your trip. Highlights include; the 365-acre Land and Sea Park nature reserve; Norman’s Pond Cay, a saltwater mangrove marsh with sharks (don’t worry, sharks encounters are rarely dangerous); and the stunning island of Eleuthera with its inland lagoons and ponds giving shelter to abundant wildlife.

There are many options that you can consider in the Bahamas for sea kayaking. This is just a little recommendation, and a very good starting point if you want a guided tour. Ultimately you have to paddle your own kayak and take to the waters in your own way. Be sure to plan carefully, and the Bahamas will be a rewarding destination for the ultimate kayaking adventure.

Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

John Wooden, Collegiate Hall of Fame Basketball Coach – UCLA

There were many story lines and subplots at the 2015 Payette River Games from the speculation on who would claim their share of the $50,000 prize purse to the colorful attire sported by female competitors such as Izzy Gomez and Annabel Anderson. Residents of rural Cascade, Idaho had probably never witnessed such a vibrant display of neon and faux animal prints motifs, but make no mistake, it was the smiling, humble courage of a man from Brazil that out shined them all.

Thirty year old Jonas Letieri traveled to Cascade from his home town of Cabo Frio, approximately 97 miles (156 km) east of the well-known Brazilian coastal city of Rio de Janeiro. A natural competitor, Jonas tragically lost both of his hands four years ago in an electrical accident while volunteering at his local church. After his hands were amputated below the elbow, Jonas was no longer able to surf. Longing to get back on the water, Jonas took up stand up paddling and in the past three years he has immersed himself in the Brazilian paddling community.

Jonas Letieri conquering the course. Photo, Anthony Vela

“SUP is such a dynamic sport,” Jonas told me, “you can practice it all the time – day or night.” With the aid of a pair of custom rings designed to enable him to hold a paddle with his arms, Jonas has developed his skills to become a competitive racer and inspiration to followers around the globe. His indomitable spirit led him to win his heat in the SUP Cross repêchage round at the Payette River Games two weeks ago in what was undoubtedly the most exciting and inspiring moment of the three-day competition. As the five competitors took off down the river, Jonas was the only paddler to make his way through the main feature – a steep drop into a churning cauldron of foamy white water – without falling off of his board. Although he was passed by a competitor in the mid-section of the course, Jonas maintained his focus and pulled ahead to reclaim the lead in a final sprint to the finish line to win the heat and earn the right as the sole paddler to advance to the next round.

The Payette River Games was Jonas’ first visit to the United States and his first time paddling on a river. Back home in Brazil, he favors long distance paddling on the ocean, particularly routes from one city to another and he cited the SIC Maui Bullet 14’ as his favorite board. Like many paddlers, Jonas told me he enjoys spending time on the ocean and relaxing at the beach – honorable pursuits for any stand up paddler.

In true competitive fashion, Jonas Letieri has not allowed the accident which claimed his hands to impede his passion for spending time on the water. Like many successful individuals, Jonas has made the most of his opportunities by refusing to give in and continually focusing what may be possible. The river humbled everyone that weekend in Idaho, but the unwavering enthusiasm and spirit displayed by Jonas Letieri captivated all in attendance and will continue to run long after the final horn has sounded.

A lesser person could have quite easily given in after enduring the loss of their hands, but Jonas’ true character has shined through as he turned the life changing challenge into an opportunity. Based on his display of grit and compassion at the Payette River Games, there is little doubt Jonas will continue to overcome obstacles and open doors to many additional opportunities and discoveries in the years to come.

Jonas Letieri and the Games

Jonas and his family gather with Mark and Kristina Pickard. Photo, Matt Chebatoris

For the past year, the Payette River Games organizers, Mark and Kristina Pickard, have sponsored an athlete who best represents the values and character traits which embody the ethos of Kelly’s Whitewater Park where the Games are staged. Many of this year’s attendees were unaware of the Pickard’s initiative, but as Mark began his special announcement on the competition’s final day, there was no surprise with the selection of Jonas Letieri as Kelly’s Whitewater Park’s 2015 sponsored athlete.

There were many crowd favorites at the Payette River Games this year – some will likely return in 2016, while others may move on with their careers and leave the river behind. While it is difficult to predict what the future may bring, I hope I am in the former category, if not as a competitor, as one of the thousands of spectators lining the bank of the Payette River as we sit together on the rocky steps watching new stories unfold in the rapids below.

#Dispatch #JonasLetieri #PayetteRiverGames

My favorite attribute of paddling the Hala Playa is the board’s versatility. The Playa is incredibly fun to surf in small to medium-sized waves. It also makes a great board for just getting out on the ocean and exploring. Importantly, because it is an inflatable, you can take it places no hard board could go. You can get off the beaten path and access what I like to think of as denied territory. That is to say, you can truly get out there and have an adventure.

Hiking down the trail to Bluff Cove on Palos Verdes.

The Hala Playa’s 10’11” length is short by touring board standards, but don’t let that stop you from putting in a little distance with the board. This past weekend I returned to Bluff Cove on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and hiked down the trail to the rocky beach below. On this occasion, however, instead of hanging out at the cove and surfing I set my sights on a popular destination down the coast. The scattered remains of the SS Dominator.

According to Wikipedia, the SS Dominator was a freighter that ran aground on Palos Verdes in 1961 due to a navigational error after it became lost in the fog while sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Portions of the wreckage were salvaged, while significant sections were subsequently pushed against the rocks by the pounding waves and scattered along the shoreline. The ship’s history dates to WWII when it was initially launched as a Liberty Ship in March 1944 and named the Melville Jacoby after a prominent war correspondent who covered the early years of the conflict in the Pacific Theater before he was killed in a plane crash in 1942.

The wreckage of the SS Dominator is a common hiking destination in Palos Verdes. I had never visited the site and decided paddling there on the Hala Playa would be a great way to test the board’s suitability for a coastal adventure paddle. Launching and recovering from Bluff Cove would also still give me the opportunity to surf!

As I’ve written in my column, Inside the Lineup, Bluff Cove is one of my favorite local surf spots. The rugged, rock strewn cove, not to mention the entire peninsula, is also a perfect place to truly realize one of the benefits of having an inflatable SUP. Their durability.

Gear for the trip

The right footwear is essential on this stretch of coastline. I chose the Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport for my adventure.

I set out to hike down the trail to the cove with the Hala Playa conveniently rolled up and stored in its rolling travel bag / backpack. I typically wear a pair of Merrell sandals down to the cove. On this occasion, however, I planned to come ashore near the shipwreck and opted for my Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport shoes which are a fantastic ventilated hiking shoe designed for an aquatic environment. The closed toed shoes were essential gear for protecting my feet and allowing me to confidently wade into the water when launching/recovering my board.

I decided to wear my MTI Cascade PFD which is a super comfortable Type III foam PFD, instead of my regular MTI Fluid 2.0 inflatable beltpack, since I knew I’d be offshore on my own and paddling in and out through rough water along the rocky coast.

In addition to the aforementioned items, I wore a Merrell short sleeved tech tee. Although originally designed for hiking, I’ve found that Merrell’s range of tech tees are quick drying, super breathable and great for adventure style standup paddling. (Insider Tip: If you find a Merrell tech tee you really like, promptly order a couple more as the styles are continuously changing throughout the year.)

Last but certainly not least, I wore one of my trademark Shelta Hats. These hats are so good at protecting your head from the sun I no longer wear sunscreen on my ears and face while paddling.

Paddling out from Bluff Cove

After pumping up the board and storing the bag above the high water line in some scraggly underbrush I launched through the surf zone. Bluff Cove is a reef break and it is generally easy to safely launch off the rocky beach, as opposed to other sections of the coastline where the waves repeatedly crash with a violent force against the rocky shore.

@mattchebatoris cruising through a giant kelp bed offshore near #losangeles on a Hala Playa. #contentdevelopment @halagearsup #halagear #halaplaya #california #californiaadventure #adventureisoutthere #adventure #explore #exploretheworld #paddling #standuppaddling #standuppaddle #pumpeduppaddler

A post shared by SUP Examiner (@supexaminer) on Aug 13, 2017 at 12:17pm PDT

I paddled out and around the waves without incident and made my way out of the cove. Beyond the cove, the waters within 100+ yards of shore are consumed by a bed of giant kelp. The aquatic forest is every bit as impressive as its terrestrial counterparts and teeming with sea life. For all its beauty, a dense and healthy kelp bed is extremely difficult to paddle through. I slogged along just outside the breaking waves for a while before heading further offshore to find a more easily navigable path.

I was able to achieve a faster speed on the fringe of the kelp bed and it wasn’t long before I could see the wreckage of the SS Dominator on the rocky beach. I then made my way back through the kelp towards shore to scout out a landing spot.

At the northern tip of Palos Verdes: The SS Dominator

The shoreline is comprised entirely of rocks, both mini boulder sized and outcroppings of solid rock. Complicating matters somewhat is also the fact that there are several underwater rock formations which at various times may be exposed depending on the tide. As I was paddling back and forth approximately 20 yards off the beach one such rock pile suddenly revealed itself as the ocean sucked water out to sea. I narrowly missed ramming it and made a mental note of its location as I continued to scout out a safe landing location.

I spotted a section where a collection of rocks jutting out to sea formed a small, temporary respite from the rhythmic pounding of the waves. I inched closer and then quickly made my move by following the back of a wave in. As water rushed over the rocks my board hit the rocks like a Marine amphibious assault. You can’t do that with a hard board I thought as I hopped off and secured the Playa above the waterline.

I came ashore about 40 yards east of the SS Dominator. There is a narrow path of sorts running along the back of the beach. I picked up the trail and made my way down to the scattered remains of the ship. It was a Saturday and a few hikers were already exploring the site.

I spent about 20 minutes ashore before timing my launch through the oncoming waves and made my way back out beyond the kelp bed for the journey back to Bluff Cove. As it often does as the day goes on, the wind had picked up providing a tailwind to push me along. Two guys from my outrigger club were practicing surfing their OC-1s at the cove. I recognized each of them from a distance by the make and colors of their canoes and waved hello.

I caught a wave in, deflated the board, rolled it back up and hiked up the trail. My first coastal exploration on the Hala Playa complete.

#PalosVerdes #Exploring #MTIAdventureWear #HalaGear #PumpedUpPaddler #Surfing #Merrell #HalaPlaya

Brown Sea Turtle. Photo by Wexor Tmg on Unsplash

With Earth Day 2021 coming in hot, what better time to highlight some of PaddleXaminer’s favorite environmentally-friendly brands. From sustainably made swimwear to ocean-friendly lunchware, these days there are so many environmentally-friendly options for consumers to select from that you almost have to go out of your way to not do your part to support our planet. Here are some of our favorites to get you started for your next spring outing on the water!

Blue Water Bento

Offering a colorful, fun, and highly functional range of plastic-free and leak-free containers, the Blue Water Bento collection makes going green super easy. No more shopping for cheap, single use plastic containers – the plastic-free silicone lids and stainless steel containers from Blue Water Bento are a fantastic way to pack a lunch on your next adventure!

Enjoying an after paddling meal from my Blue Water Bento containers.

Do your part to help reduce the amount of harmful plastics from being made and polluting our waterways. Not only are they reusable, but they nest together when not in use, and are significantly more durable than a cheap plastic container. Pack your meals in a reusable, ocean-friendly bento container from Blue Water Bento! All the parts are dishwasher safe, so you don’t even have to do the washing up. These little containers are great!!

Did you know – only 1% of plastics are recycled. The remaining 99% are discarded in landfills and frequently end up in the ocean in large trash patches known as gyres.

EcoVessel Boulder Bottle and WanderWare Utensil Set

EcoVessel is a fantastic fit for Earth Day and every other day of the year. Inspired by a thirst for adventure and driven by a respect for the planet – EcoVessel is a family-run business in Boulder, Colorado with an innovative range of premium drinkware and reusable products. The perfect blend of style and performance, each product from EcoVessel helps reduce the world’s dependency on single-use plastics.

The Boulder Bottle comes in a selection of sizes from 16oz – 32oz. Regardless of which size is the best fit for you, the EcoVessel Boulder comes with a stainless steel strainer, removable silicone base, and a soft silicone drinking spout. Made from top shelf 18/8 stainless steel, the Boulder features EcoVessel’s proprietary TriMax® Triple Insulation. Cold drinks will stay cold for up to 74 hours and hot drinks up to 14 hours. The bottles also feature a dual opening so you can easily fill yours with ice, fruit, or even loose tea and still drink from the narrow soft silicone opening. The 24oz EcoVessel Boulder is without exception my favorite reusable water bottle. I use mine daily!

Left: EcoVessel WanderWare Set, Middle: Enjoying a snack with my Blue Water Bento containers and EcoVessel Boulder and WanderWare set, Right: The EcoVessel Boulder.

The WanderWare utensil set is a premium food grade quality stainless steel kit that you can easily take with you whenever and wherever adventure calls. Nestled inside its own zipper-close carry case, the set includes a knife, spoon, fork, chopsticks, straw with a silicone tip, and a straw cleaning brush.

Pro Tip – The EcoVessel WanderWare utensil set pairs nicely with the reusable containers from Blue Water Bento.

Sensi Graves Swim

Embracing sustainable manufacturing practices and doing right by the environment is at the heart of everything made at Sensi Graves Swim. The brand goes out of its way to ensure transparency in its entire supply chain as they produce a stellar lineup from recycled plastic materials sourced from from Repreve® and ECONYL® fabric suppliers. Using recycled materials uses less water and creates less pollution than starting from scratch and helps prevent waste from ending up in the ocean.

A few highlights which demonstrate the depth and versatility of the Sensi Graves Swim range.

The environmentally-friendly practices at Sensi Graves Swim don’t stop with the manufacturing of their swimwear – they extend to the entire life cycle of the business. Sensi Graves uses recycled hand tags, labels and packaging. What’s more, each suit is packed in a compostable bag along with compostable hygienic liners. To top it off, they have partnered with Climate Neutral to offset the carbon generated during the routine manufacturing process. The swimwear is produced on the West Coast in Sensi’s home state of Oregon and our hometown right here in Los Angeles.

I bought my wife a pair of the Laura surf leggings earlier this year and she absolutely loves them!

Selk’bag – Rainforest

The Selk’bag Rainforest model was inspired by Selk’bag’s partnership with Parque Oncol. Parque Oncol is located in northern Chilean Patagonia and is the largest reserve of biodiversity in South America. Known for its extensive reserves of plant and animal life, the Rainforest suit is just as unique as the majestic forests from which it is inspired.

Selk’bag is a wearable sleeping bag that originated in Chile and is designed to allow adventurers the luxury of freedom of movement while maintaining complete warmth, no matter what the conditions. Indoors working from home or outdoors immersed in rugged terrain, the Selk’bag is ideally suited for the minimalist adventurer and weekends at the beach.

The Rainforest model is intended as a spring/summer garment whose ideal temperature range is between 48F/9C – 55F/13C. The insulation, fabric and zipper are each made from recycled materials: 54 plastic bottles = one Selk’bag. Made from one layer hollow-fiber insulation, the entire bag is machine washable.

Features include:

• Adjustable insulated hood
• Easy-access hand openings
• Double slider
• Kangaroo pocket
• Removable booties
• DWR-water repellent
• Stuff sack
• Polyester shell and lining

I just received mine yesterday and considering the temperature was in excess of 80F today in Los Angeles, I understandably have not spent a lot of time wearing it. Nevertheless, the Rainforest Selk’bag looks like a perfect fit for a kayak camping trip along the coast of Catalina Island when minimalist packing is a must and overnight warmth is essential.

We completed three of the five races for the Vail Whitewater Series this paddle season, and what a season it’s been so far! With the epic snow we had in Colorado this past winter, the flow on Gore Creek has increased each week; this past race on May 23rd the flow was over 600 cfs range which we typically don’t see until June, if at all depending on the snowpack levels.

For the two SUP divisions, the race is very tight. Jennifer Hodgkiss currently in the leads for the women. On the men’s side, Jeremiah Williams has built a considerable lead winning the first three races. The men’s and women’s raft races are both pretty closely contested.

At the afterparty at El Segundo Tuesday evening, everyone was talking about what a fun event it was that day. With the flows over 600 cfs, it made for some wild head-to-head matchups.

Looking ahead, there are two more races left in the series. Next week is an individual time trial down the course. In the second part, each of the competitors are seeded based on the results of their time trial. The top nine finishers move on to the championship bracket, while all other racers are transferred to the consolation bracket for a head-to-head competition. The last race on June 7th starts at the Betty Ford Amphitheater Bridge, and is a single downriver event for all disciplines ending at International Bridge.

Performance Paddling’s Afterglow Race Series consists of three different Friday nights of racing in Dana Point Harbor. The goal is to provide a fun, picturesque race environment for the local and surrounding paddling community.

Each night will have two events: a 1-mile race and a 500-meter sprint course. You can race in one event or both, but the more times you race the more opportunity you will have to win fun prizes. Racing will begin approximately forty-five minutes prior to sunset and finish just in time to bask in the afterglow.

Pizza & prizes will follow each night of racing at the picnic tables on Baby Beach. 1-Mile Overall Champion, Sprint Overall Champion, and Overall Series Champion will be crowned for men and women at the final event.

Registration includes pizza and a chance to win some cool prizes.

• $15 pre-registration
• $20 onsite registration

Approximately three dozen paddlers came out on the inaugural night of the three event series on March 11, 2022. Michael Chiang took out the men’s sprint course with a winning time of 2:59:98 while Candice Appleby claimed the honors in the women’s sprint course with a winning time of 3:05:84. Chiang (10:12:44) and Appleby 10:18:29) also won the one mile race ahead of a competitive field of standup paddlers.

Upcoming Races:

Friday, April 8, 2022

Friday, May 13, 2022

Register on PaddleGuru to get in on all the action!

Andrej Olijnik and Mindaugas Maldonis won gold in the men’s K2 500m event. Photo: Courtesy ICF

Five nations shared the gold medals in Olympic-distance events on the final day of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Cup in Poland on Sunday.

Host nation Poland, Lithuania, Denmark, China and Italy all won gold in near-perfect conditions at Poznan, the final world cup before this year’s ICF World Championships and Olympic qualifiers in Duisburg in August.

In non-Olympic events there were two more golds for Ukraine, a first ever gold for Chinese Taipei, and victories for the Czech Republic, Portugal, China, Hungary, Sweden and Denmark.

China’s C2 500 women’s team continued to dominate their event, with Shixiao Xu and Mengya Sun continuing their unbeaten run since winning inaugural gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Xu and Sun, finished ahead of Hungary’s Giada Bragato and Bianka Nagy, and Ukraine’s Liudmyla Luzan and Valeriia Tereta.

Italy’s Gabriele Casadei and Carlo Tacchini emerged from a crowded field to win the men’s C2 500, and in doing so throwing themselves in the mix to contest this year’s world championships and Olympic qualifiers.

The Italians snatched victory in the closing metres from Ukraine’s Vitaliy Vergeles and Andrii Rybachok, with Poland’s Aleksander Kitewski and Norman Zezula.

“We just put this boat together a few months ago, so it’s pretty satisfying that we are already competing at this high level,” Tacchini said.

“It’s a long and hard season, but the first few steps have been strong. We took this opportunity, and it’s much more relaxing for me to know that I have another opportunity to qualify for the Olympics besides the C1.”

Denmark’s Emma Aastrand Jorgensen found herself back on the winner’s podium after a powerful all-the-way victory in the women’s K1 500. The two-time Olympian took a bronze in Szeged two weeks ago, and was leaving nothing to chance on Sunday.

“I felt really strong and it was a really good race, I’ve had a really good weekend,” Jorgensen said.

“It means a lot to me, it means that I’m there and I’m working hard and this early on in the season it’s really nice to have some good feelings and to be making some nice results. Hopefully I can continue being at the top.”

Silver went to Sweden’s Linnea Stensils and bronze to Croatia’s Anamaria Govorcinovic.

Two weeks ago Lithuania snatched a surprise gold in the men’s K4 500 in Szeged, and on Sunday they surprised again with victory in the men’s K2 500. Mindaugas Maldonis and Andrej Olijnik were too fast in the closing stages for Germany’s Felix Frank and Martin Hiller, while Australia’s Jean van der Westhuyzen and Tom Green taking bronze.

The women’s K2 500 boiled down to a race-off between two Polish crews. After a tight tussle for the first 450 metres, 24-year-olds Martyna Klatt and Helena Wisniewska took control in the closing metres to edge out Olympians Karolina Naja and Anna Pulawska.

Denmark’s Jorgensen and Frederikke Matthiesen took the bronze.

The host nation finished the three days of competition at the top of the medal table, with six gold, four silver and two bronze. China with three gold, four silver and two bronze finished second, with Ukraine picking up three gold, three silver and five bronze.

A total of 19 countries won medals in Poznan

The ubiquitous trucker hat with all its various colors and screen printed logos has long been the staple head wear in the paddling community around the world. They are inexpensive, easy to customize and offer a modicum of sun protection. Trucker hats represent the status quo in an era of innovation leaving a fertile market for something new and different. Shelta, a California small business co-founded by Jurgen Schultz, has firmly stepped into the ring with a selection of performance driven sun hats packed with a range of features built around their signature, one of a kind, Winged Vision Visor.

Shelta hats currently come in four styles, the Osprey, Seahawk, Phoenix and Griffin. The Osprey and Seahawk are identical, save for the narrow brim on the former. A similar convention is followed with the Phoenix and Griffin.

The Osprey is their original hat and resembles the profile of classic, military inspired Boonie hat. It’s narrow brim is designed to stay out-of-the-way while paddling and an inspired “No Sag” headband which is sewn to the water-repellent mesh liner prevents the hat from sagging when wet.

The Phoenix differs in part from the Osprey in that it features a high-speed, low drag five panel style crown. It has the same narrow brim as the Osprey, but incorporates a moisture management mesh liner which keeps your head cooler by absorbing moisture away from your skin and dispersing it through evaporation.

Shelta Performance Features

No matter which hat you select, Shelta packs an unrivaled number of sensible and easy to use performance driven features which will quickly make their hats your favorite piece of headwear.

Incorporated into all styles are the following:

1. Winged Vision Visor – it blocks the sun while remaining stiff, even when wet or in high wind.
2. Eco-Tech Fabric – breathable, water-repellent and made from environmentally friendly recycled polyester.

Testing out the Phoenix hat at Paradise Cove in Malibu.

1. Convertible Cord System – removable chin cord which can be positioned in multiple configurations depending on style and preference for maximum hat retention in wind and water.
2. Water Safe – they float! Each brim is made with dual layers of closed-cell foam and water-repellent fabric.
3. UV Rated to UPF 50+ – certified to block 98% of UVA/UVB radiation and deliver UPF 50+ protection in all conditions.
4. One Handed Size Cinch – a toggle on the rear of each hat allows you to adjust with one hand while on the go.
5. Reflective Logo – great safety feature to keep you visible.
6. Venting – perfectly positioned round eyelets allow heated air to disperse.

Each Shelta hat is available in two sizes: MD/LG and LG/XL.

Features Unique to the Osprey and Seahawk

1. No-Sag Head Band – the head band is sewn into the water-repellent mesh liner to prevent it from sagging when wet. This makes putting your hat back on in the water a quick and easy process.
2. Inside Stash Pocket – placed in the lining at the center of the hat, the pocket is designed store the convertible cord system or small items such as a credit card or ID.
3. Comfort Fit Crown – classic Boonie style crown.

Features Unique to the Phoenix and Griffin

1. Moisture Management – interior mesh liner designed to absorb moisture away from your skin.
2. Outside Stash Pocket – seamlessly integrated into the front of the crown, it works great for storing the convertible cord system or small items such as a credit card or ID.
3. Low Profile Crown – a snug fitting, five-panel crown for a high-speed, low drag look.

SUP Examiner’s Take on Shelta

Best hats in the world. Favorite hats to paddle in. Never paddle without one.

I could easily end the review there, but I’ll elaborate. I’ve had the opportunity to be a “Shelta Test Pilot” for the past few months putting an Osprey and Phoenix through their paces while stand up paddling, outrigger canoeing with the Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club and volunteering as a race organizer at the Los Angeles Waterkeeper’s annual Stand Up for Clean Water paddleboard event.

Based on my experience, Shelta hats are true to size and easily adjustable via the “One Hand Size Cinch” cord on the rear of the hat’s crown for a snug or looser fit, depending on conditions and personal preference. I spend a fair amount of time outside and regularly wear traditional Boonie hats to protect my head from the sun, however, a traditional Boonie hat, aka floppy hat, isn’t ideal for the water sports environment for the simple reason that the brim flops down when wet and blows up in the wind. In contrast to traditional wide brim hats, Shelta’s Winged Vision Visor remains stiff and in position in all manner of conditions.

As anyone who attended or read about the 2016 Stand Up for Clean Water event knows, participants experienced strong 20+ knots of offshore wind that day. I wore the Shelta Phoenix literally from sun up to sun down at the event and when the wind picked up I simply secured the chin strap in place and my hat stayed in position. Boards were flying across the water when a few paddlers ignored instructions to wear a leash and one of the registration tents collapsed during a gust, but my Shelta hat remained securely in place.

Amazing Protection from Sun and Spray

Not only does the Winged Vision Visor provide a vastly superior level of sun protection than a trucker hat, it deflects a lot of spray from your face and remains stiff and in position when wet – even after being fully submerged. I SUP surfed wearing the Phoenix and not only did I not lose my hat during wipeouts, I also never had to readjust the hat or brush the brim out of my face after a dunk in the ocean.

Wearing the Osprey at outrigger practice.

The same holds true while outrigger canoeing – one of the fastest growing “cross-training” activities for stand up paddlers. I’ve worn a Osprey extensively this spring paddling with my six man club and have learned the hats truly come into their own in rough, open water conditions when wind is pumping and the surf is spraying in all directions.

Shelta hats have kept my head dry throughout numerous outrigger practices and races, which in turn helps keep me warm as the water in the Pacific off the Southern California coast is quite cold – a fact which regularly surprises visitors from out-of-state. The narrow brim on the Osprey and Phoenix is perfect for paddling as unlike a traditional wide brim hat, Shelta’s designers crafted a hat with a 360° brim that you can comfortably paddle in due to the narrow side panels which allow you to exercise the full range of motion in your stroke without bumping your shoulder into your hat.

Depending on the wind conditions, I typically start a stand up paddling session or outrigger practice with the Convertible Cord System attached, but with the cord tucked underneath the hat’s crown while warming up inside the harbor breakwall. Then, prior to heading “outside” into the Santa Monica Bay I’ll lift up the hat and allow the cord to drop down and simply secure it beneath my chin.

When using the Convertible Cord System, I’m fairly traditional in that I prefer to wear it either tucked beneath the crown (no wind) or secured beneath my chin (wind). With that in mind, the Convertible Cord System is aptly named and can be configured in a number of different ways depending on your style preferences. I don’t use the hook clip on the end of the Convertible Cord System, which is easily removed and stored in the hat’s stash pocket.

When training on my SUP, I found the Moisture Management system built into the mesh liner of the Phoenix worked exceedingly well at eliminating sweat from running down into my eyes. When wearing a traditional trucker hat, even the ones with the terry cloth head bands, I have never had a 100% solution to stopping sweat from running down my face. Shelta’s Phoenix makes that phenomenon an inconvenience of the past. Like everything on their hats, the company developed the Moisture Management system in the Phoenix with a specific intent in mind, which in this instance is high intensity sports such as SUP racing, outrigger canoeing and trail running, to name a few.

Easy to Maintain

Stored at the top of my paddling gear pack.

Caring for a Shelta hat is quick and easy. I predominantly paddle in the ocean and simply rinse off my hat after each use with fresh water and hang it up to dry. The company’s’ Eco-Tech Fabric is quick drying and my hats are always dry and ready for action the following day.

I use an EXOS Bravo backpack from Tactical Intent for holding my paddling gear and like to fold my Shelta hats together like a clam shell and place them at the top of my pack where the curvature of the Winged Vision Visor nestles nicely with the contour of the pack. This places my hat in an easy to grab location in my bag for when I arrive at my paddling destination.

I really love my Shelta hats and can’t say enough good things about them. They are, in my opinion, the best hats in the world, my favorite hats to paddle in, and I never paddle without one.

MSRP: $64.50 www.sheltahats.com

Disclosure: I received two sample hats for testing and review, however, the opinions expressed are my own.

Special thanks to 404 SUP for loaning me a 12’6″ V3 to use while conducting this review.

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